Remembering Anew by Pearl Took
Andrea · 14 February 2007 · Chapter 7: Finding Friends
Well, it took Jebbin some time and a little persuasion from his sister-in-law to finally accept that Mac is a friend. But I think he can count on him. Mac is a good hobbit. The last sentence of this chapter is promising, indeed. I hope it is as Athelas said: "There are others". I can't wait for the next chapter :)
Author's reply
Thank you, Andrea :-) The next chapter is in process ;-)
Andrea · 14 February 2007 · Chapter 6: Behind the Scenes
No review for this chapter, yet? Well, I enjoyed it a great deal! As you say, there are spies - and spies, those who know what they are doing, pursuing a special purpose and those who don't. The latter case, in person of Bellflower Took, left me with a huge grin :) What a lass! "I tried reading a bit of it on the ride home, but there wasn’t any romance in it all. Just boring drivel about Mad Bilbo Baggins and the Travellers." Oh dear! No romance. Poor Bellflower ;-) But the only thing that really counts is that the revolution is in progress. Let's see what Longo and Tollo have to say after actually reading the book. Now I'm off to the next chapter!
Author's reply
No, you're the first on this one :-) I think some people missed it as there were only 9 hits for this and 13 for the next chapter. Bellflower is a hussy, but also pretty pathetic. Yes, it is all beginning :-) Thank you so much, Andrea!
Cuthalion · 14 February 2007 · Chapter 7: Finding Friends
I like Mac, very much... a true friend, and a head of his own on his shoulders. And the end of this chapter sounds at least hopeful. But I'm sure there will be a proper explosion sooner or later! Cúthalion
Author's reply
Thank you, Cuthalion :-) Mac's a good egg, as the saying goes.
shirebound · 14 February 2007 · Chapter 7: Finding Friends
I like Macimas very much. I suspect he's a hobbit who will 'show his quality'.
Author's reply
Thank you, shirebound! I knew when he showed up he would be a good guy :-)
Grey Wonderer · 9 February 2007 · Chapter 5: Weaving the Future
Now that was one book sale I would have loved to attend! I wonder if Merry and Pippin were watching? I wonder how many of those that purchased the books will be convinced? This description really got to me and I found it so captivating that I had to copy it here and say so. This is a great image. Before a single page was filled, the Red Book, new and waiting to be filled with Bilbo's words and later Frodo's and Sam's. Wow, just wow. (Always in his mind’s eye he saw Bilbo ordering the red bound book of blank pages then beginning his labor of recording the story of his journey, “There and Back Again”.)
Author's reply
Thank you, GW! That was one of those wonderful serendipitous events brought to me by my muse. I'm so glad you liked it :-) I know some will be convinced, but even I don't know how many will fall on either side of the debate.
Larner · 8 February 2007 · Chapter 5: Weaving the Future
A rough go it will be, but so battles for truth always prove. But it will be well worth it, of that they may be certain.
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner :-) Yes, the truth is often painful.
mews1945 · 8 February 2007 · Chapter 5: Weaving the Future
Sorry about the blank review. I hit the wrong button. I certainly enjoyed this chapter. Jebbin's very courageous to stand up and declare the truth, despite what's popularly believed. I can imagine frodo and Sam would be so upset by the twisting of their story.
Author's reply
I deleted the blank review :-) Thank you so much, mews, for leaving responses :-) Yes, I think it would be very painful, especially since (as is kind of brought out in one of the earlier story and in the prologue to this one) their part in the Quest has become extremely down played.
Bodkin · 8 February 2007 · Chapter 5: Weaving the Future
I do feel huge sympathy for Jebbin et al. Yes, the message they wish to promulgate is the truth - but they and their families are going to suffer for attempting to shatter the delusions of the comfortably ignorant hobbits. And the intermittant presence of the Travellers themselves isn't going to make it any easier. Any suggestion that the message is being reinforced by the word of those who were there, and who have long since passed beyond the circles of the world, might well get Jebbin and Other shut up in the Shire equivalent of the insane asylum.
Author's reply
Those thoughts occurred to me as well, Bodkin. They are going to have to use a great deal of caution. My muse finally relented and I know a bit more about what has led to this mess, the lads and their wives have a battle on their hands, that's for sure. Thank you so much for reading this, Bodkin, and for your insightful comments :-)
PIppinfan1988 · 7 February 2007 · Chapter 5: Weaving the Future
Oh...wow! This was excellent!! Everything about the fair was crystal clear; the people, the sounds...the smells. Okay, I couldn't *smell* anything, lol, but the words were so detailed and smooth that my imagination took me right there to the fair to witness Jebbin hawking his book and the crowd reacting to the Real Truth. This was fabulous, Pearl--as Gandalf once said, 'The chessboard is set...' The suspense is going to drive me nuts until the next update, lol. Hurry! :-) Pippinfan
Author's reply
Thank you, Pippinfan :-) I'm so glad that I was able to take you to the Festival! I'm hitting another slow spot just now but I think that will change. Hopefully I won't keep you waiting for long :-)
Andrea · 7 February 2007 · Chapter 5: Weaving the Future
The battle for the Truth had begun. Wow! Great chapter, Pearl. How clever of them to sell those books at the Harvest Festival. Jebbin did a great job to arouse the curiosity of all hobbits within earshot. And now the battle begins ... So, Frodo, Sam and Bilbo have not yet been allowed to come for a visit? But that's no final decision, is it?
Author's reply
Thank you, Andrea :-) It 's a good way to get everyone's attention :-) No. We'll have to wait and see who all gets to show up in this tale.
shirebound · 7 February 2007 · Chapter 5: Weaving the Future
Hobbits turned to one another to start working through this. It was a great amount of new ideas for them to take in all at once. It really was! I'm very curious to see how 'the Truth' affects the Shire, and those who learn of it at last.
Author's reply
Thank you, dear mentor! I am too :-) Though I recently was gifted with more of what is ahead, there is still much I don't know myself
Cuthalion · 7 February 2007 · Chapter 5: Weaving the Future
Absolutely wonderful. Jebbin is truly courageous - but there will be a riot among all those teachers and tutors who suddenly find themselves confronted with the uncomfortable truth theory that all they've been teaching for ages was rubbish. I'm eagerly awaiting the next chapter! Cúthalion
Author's reply
Thank you, Cuthalion! There'll be something happening, that I can guarantee! I'm working on getting the next chapter(s) written :-)
Daynawayna · 6 February 2007 · Chapter 5: Weaving the Future
The eight copies were gone. Jebbin kept his original. The battle for the Truth had begun. Dunnn duuunnn DUUUUHHHNNNNNNN!!! ooOOOOOOOOOOoooooohhhhh!!! LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!! This is going to be a very interesting time for the hobbits. I'm proud of Jebbin, and I'm so thankful that I prodded your muse to continue the original story! :) This story just gets better and better with every chapter! I can't wait to read what happens next, tho' I fear it will be ridicule and torment mostly. I do believe some will belive outright, and some will want to believe but lack the courage to make a stand. I'm still bouncing in anticipation for the old Windbag to get his comeuppance... oh and PLEASE tell me that Merry and Pippin make a Grand Appearance, visible to ALL HOBBITS!! ::claps hands excitedly:: Yes yes!! oh, wait... I'M the reader and YOU'RE THE AUTHOR. Shutting up now. :::giggles wickedly:::
Author's reply
Yes, dear Daynawayna, let's keep our rolls straight here. hehehe I'm just hoping I keep this at an exciting/interesting level so as to not lose my readers. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing :-)
Larner · 1 February 2007 · Chapter 4: Unravelling the Past
This is tragic, that Sam's descendants include some who not only do not know how to read or write, but who distrust the written word and those who are literate. I'm angry such things could happen! Our dear Sam would be furious, and I can now see his ghost showing up in Lightred's hole to bawl the young Hobbit out and give him what for, mistrusting him, his beloved Master, and old Bilbo himself! Ah, our beloved lads don't deserve to go through all this!
Author's reply
This has turned out tougher on them than I had originally thought it might. And I fear it isn't over. I don't know if Sam, Frodo or Bilbo's ghosts will put in appearances - I have a rather bad failing in that I often leave them out of things. We will just have to wait and see what happens. Thank you so much of reading and responding, Larner :-)
Andrea · 1 February 2007 · Chapter 4: Unravelling the Past
... and she kept finding herself wishing she could give them a pat on the shoulder or a hug to comfort them. Dear Athelas, I wished that, too! In my opinion there's something Jebbin hasn't understood yet. If that book comes out, no one will ask about the authenticity of its sources. It will simply be a great shock! Instead, he should be glad that he found *the* original source and quote it as much as possible. I liked Other's trip to Lightred Greenholm and I'm as curious as Pippin: "The next question on my mind is how did the truth come to be so strongly regarded as untruth."
Author's reply
Thank you, Andrea :-) Jebbin's a scholar, they worry about such things ;-) (I know, I'm married to a scholar.) They are going to have their hands full pretty soon, that's for certain. I'm curious about that too and I'm looking forward to finding out!
poppymuddyfoot · 1 February 2007 · Chapter 4: Unravelling the Past
Why am I not surprised that Pippin went along when Other played his trick? But oh, how sad that Sam's descendants have become so small-minded and illiterate. That's going to break his heart when he finds out. And I'm saddened myself to see that Bilbo and Frodo are still so misunderstood in the Shire. I hope Jebbin's book will help correct that. And I want to give Merry and Pippin a hug, too.
Author's reply
Thank you, Poppy! Well, they aren't *all* illiterate so hopefully they aren't all small-minded either. It didn't surprise me either when Pippin showed up on that trip, though I originally thought it would be Athelas :-)
Daynawayna · 1 February 2007 · Chapter 4: Unravelling the Past
!Muy Intersante, Pearl! LOL And a very interesting problem they have, what with hobbits in general not being literate and not trusting of things written. I'm very intrigued as to how this is all going to play out, and from reading your replies to reviews, I think you're as curious as I am to see where it goes! LOL There's GOT to be a few sensible hobbits still left in the shire beyond Jeb and Oth's family! ::giggles:: You know what I want to see? A big stand-off between our "mad hobbits" and the "sane, proper hobbits", and have the Master's son (Mac?) stand with his friends, flipping out his father, and then have there be some family heirloom of Merry's and Pippin's that is mentioned in THE Redbook that some scribe somewhere along the way missed in his transcription, PROVING beyond doubt the truth and validity of the Red Book AND the fact that reading isn't as bad as some hobbits think. I also wanna see the Master taken down a peg or two, but that's just me. ::wicked grin::
Author's reply
Hi Daynawayna! I was just thinking about you as Cuthalion mentioned that you also nudged a story out of her once. You have a true gift for that! Tolkien mentions somewhere that most hobbits were illiterate. I read once that it was very much the case before books and literacy became common for people not to trust what was put down in writing - exactly the opposite of how it is now where we want everything in writing. That's where all that came from. I'm thinking you will get *some* of what you want ;-)
Grey Wonderer · 1 February 2007 · Chapter 4: Unravelling the Past
Pippin certainly got upset in this chapter. I thought it would be Merry who would go over the edge but Pippin seems to have beat him to it this time. I like the passion in this chapter. Merry's quiet tears and Pippin frustration show well here. This is an excellent story, Pearl!
Author's reply
Thank you, GW! I'm glad you liked the emotional level here and thank you for the wonderful compliment. :-)
Cuthalion · 1 February 2007 · Chapter 4: Unravelling the Past
I just wanted to tell you that I stumbled over this tale this morning and ate every chapter. My word, what an original, thrilling idea! And the fact that those true historians accidentally got their hands on the true Red Book - amazing, just amazing. I will watch this, of course, and try to read the prequels as soon as I find the time to do so. Brava! That's brilliant. Cúthalion
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Cuthalion, such a generous, kind response :-) I'm hoping to post fairly steadily one a week or fortnight. This story is sort of writing itself as it moves along, which is odd for me and might cause some delays if the muse takes a holiday. Thank you so much, I'm glad you stumbled over my story, I just hope you didn't stub you toe in the process.
Dreamflower · 31 January 2007 · Chapter 4: Unravelling the Past
The next question on my mind is how did the truth come to be so strongly regarded as untruth.” Pippin shook his head and sighed. That's exactly what I want to know! You know, maybe the current Master of Buckland needs to be "Scrooged" by a couple of his ancestors...
Author's reply
LOL! I don't know if I'm ready for this to be a crossover, hehehehe! I think - I hope - we will indeed find the answer to this question, I'm just not sure when. Thank you so much, Dreamflower :-)
shirebound · 31 January 2007 · Chapter 4: Unravelling the Past
the whole ‘Why trust a book written my two mad hobbits?’ way of thinking. How unbearable to think about that! I hope Jebbin and Other can help restore the Shire's knowledge and respect for their own history.
Author's reply
Yes, things have got into an awful mess, but I think these two have the grit to set things right. Thank you so much for reading and responding, dear mentor!
PIppinfan1988 · 31 January 2007 · Chapter 4: Unravelling the Past
Oooh! I love plans and this one is shaping up nicely. :-) Looks like they're all getting busy with the business of correcting history. Looking forward to more! Pippinfan
Author's reply
You read it tonight! That makes such a statement to me, I'm so honored. I'm glad you're enjoying it. Thank you so much, Pippinfan :-)
Bodkin · 27 January 2007 · Chapter 3: The Task at Hand
Wow - the original Red Book. Very neatly purloined. It's interesting how it's become a treasure to possess, but not one to be read - and how that has changed the understanding of events. Oral history - which changes - and written history, which is crystallised. I don't blame Jebbin for feeling uneasy about writing the revelations. He is right - being a voice for change is really not easy. He is risking not only his own future, but that of his whole family. Although the possession of family ghosts egging them all on, is probably quite a spur. Interesting - very interesting. Lots of thoughts here about standing up for truth and having the courage of your convictions.
Author's reply
Hi Bodkin :-) and thank you for reading and responding to this story! This whole concept/story line took on a life of its own and I feel very much like I'm simply writing it as it unfolds. It is ending up making a statement that way, yes. You'll have to be a watchdog and let me know if it gets too preachy as that is not where I want it to go ;-) Time and people's ideas can change a lot of things. Thank you so much!
PIppinfan1988 · 24 January 2007 · Chapter 3: The Task at Hand
"It really is rather a strange feeling as where we are most of the time, in that far green country I suppose it is, there we’re just as we were here. Just as we were when we were alive here. We eat. We embrace one another. Although,” he got a bemused look on his face, “we are able to talk without speaking, if we so choose, and we can wish to be somewhere in the realm and suddenly we’re there. And, as we can see, apparently we can travel between our two realms which you cannot. All of which is quite different from life here. Yet, we also talk and walk about as folks do here in Middle-earth.” That is so fantastic! I love your idea of how life continues on in the Far Green Country. Wonderfully done! I am both impressed and delighted with this beloved tale, and I'll tell you why in a pm. You out-do yourself with each new chapter. The details are brilliant and it all flows so smoothly and nothing is out of place. As you well know, I just love the encounters between Jebbin, Other and the Ghosts, and this one was just as fun. I'm hardpressed to say which part was my favourite because all of it was, lol. The scenes that are at the top of my thoughts, however, are Merry handing the log to Marjy and Jebbin's "paternal" temper surfacing when he discovered his younger brother had "appropriated" THE Red Book. Oh, this is wonderful and I can't wait for the next chapter! MEWD my friend. :-) PF
Author's reply
Wow! Thank you so very much :-) A MEWD! Thank you! I'm so glad you're enjoying Jebbin and Other. So far, the Ghosts have been in nearly every chapter, which hadn't been what I had expected at all. We'll have to see if they stay around so much or take a sabatical. Hehehe Thank you, m'dear PF!
Dreamflower · 24 January 2007 · Chapter 3: The Task at Hand
Ah! I had a hunch it was the original!! I do love that even though dead, Merry and Pippin remain very much themselves. I like the way they still banter fondly, tell embarrassing stories, and enjoy teasing their somewhat staider descendants. I'm thinking that yes, they do have certain of TPTB who are nudging events along, much as Bilbo was nudged to pick up a little Ring long ago. And perhaps it's very possible that one of those is once again called Olorin, who used to be known as Gandalf/Mithrandir. *crosses fingers while inching out on limb* How amazing it must have been to Jeb and Other to realize just what they held in their hands.
Author's reply
Hehehe! You sound like me, Dreamflower! I often have those hunches when reading a story! If we are who we are, and that's the part that goes on after we "shuffle off this mortal coil", how could the dear lads change too much? LOL I think they have a bit more wisdom and insight though. I've no idea on the others who want this book written. Pippin just said it, Merry responded and now I'm stuck with it. Jebbin, Other and wives aren't supposed to know - maybe we won't either. I don't know at this point :-) Thank you so much for reading and responding :-)